Hiatus

I’ve been going back through my blog for editing and inspiration to get back to writing. Just like with any historical exploration, I’m finding how much I have changed, and now much I have not. I still employ the same, overused run-on sentences with far too many incorrectly used punctuations and nonsensical conversations style writing. My most recent post still rants on cell phones, communication, and bad reality TV shows. Its like looking back at old photographs and seeing that same long-sleeve t-shirt you are currently wears as you are viewing the photograph (see, nonsensical). Also, apparently, I still use parentheses to make aside comments, but isn’t that there purpose?

Now, what has changed? Well, marriage, house, car, nephews, job, friends, co-workers (not necessarily in that order). I don’t play as many video games. There are new TV shows to disdain, new music to live my life to, new knowledge to draw from, more pop culture to reference, and better technology to love and hate. So, even if it has all been done before, it will at least be different because the times have changed. And, heck, the classics are classic because they are classic.

I’ve been holding back on rewriting some of my old posts, even if 5 years have past and updates might make them more relevant to today, but that’s the beauty of the internet, anything up there can survive forever. Yes, it would help if the post were read at the time of posting and had a better understanding of the references, but that’s what made them timely and topical. So, feel free to go back and read some historical (2007), event driving posts. Some of the humor may be lost but the commentary is still relevant, in my opinion (imo – for you 2012ers) However, if you do plan on clicking through the history of my whimsically spastic rants, I would recommend starting from the beginning to understand my ongoing mental stream of thought.

And yes, I am working my way back through to fix any grammatical errors, actually, they are more like omissions than grammatical errors. Sometimes my brain works faster than I type, or my fingers type without consulting my brain. Maybe that is why my sociology professor at UVa questioned why I was even admitted at all…probably doesn’t help that I never re-read my own shit. I guess that’s why I teach it to my students – don’t make the same mistakes I did (and still do). Let that be a lesson for you all.

Ray! Ray! UVa?

So I was doing my typical run through my frequently visited websites, checking out headlines on CNN and under the Education section, I see the following article title: “University apologizes for using slaves to build school.” Of course the first thought that immediately came to mind as I was clicking on the link to read the article…probably UVa. http://www.cnn.com/2007/EDUCATION/04/25/university.slavery.ap/index.html Yep. Hey, at least they are moving in the right direction and its only 2007!

Maroon and Orange and Blue

Thoughts from a UVa grad on recent, horrific events at Virginia Tech:

I would be remiss if I did not make some kind of commentary on the events that occurred on Monday. As many of you know or felt directly, the tragedy on the campus of Virginia Tech has affected everyone, not only here in the Commonwealth, but across the country and world. I don’t know why, but it hit home even more while I was watching the Spanish language cable station here in Richmond and they had a news story about one of the victims, whose father lives in Peru. Add that to the fact Gov. Kaine watched events unfold in his attempt to return from Tokyo and one can see the far reaching effects this has had into world communities. Everyone has gone through some kind of educational institution and felt safe and secure while attending classes or freely walking through buildings, libraries, lawns or drill fields. I can only hope that this feeling continues and that such events that happened on Monday and at Columbine are isolated. Millions of students, faculty, and staff members attend or work in thousands of educational institutions around the country everyday without incident, showing that the social structure is in place. Most people are good and caring, we can only hope that those who wish to do harm to themselves and/or others will be helped before acting on violent tendencies.

Being an aspiring educator, events that occur at schools and universities, no matter what scale, weigh heavy on my mind. Educational institutions are here to foster learning and promote intellectual interaction, but also aid in social maturing and diversity. When a small few shatter that environment of fostering…things like that should not happen. The victims were as diverse as the Virginia Tech community, coming from all backgrounds and locations. Dear friends of my mine attended Virginia Tech and I know feel deeply affected by the images and stories that flash everywhere you turn. And although the storied rivalry between Tech and UVa is well documented (and I still hope that this will not suppress the spirit of competition) the tragedy has been felt by Hokies and Cavaliers alike. I, for one, cannot escape what it must have been like to be in that engineering building or dorm. But I see hope in the efforts being made across all campuses in Virginia. The victims and their families are what matter…and things like that should not happen. On this day of remembrance we should not forget the victims, not only of this tragedy but those who are dying needlessly throughout the world – 9/11, The Tsunami, earthquakes, Iraqi civilians, and the daily victims of other murders and accidents…things like that should not happen.

As for the future, I can only hope that time will heal. Wounds do form and scars take their place as a constant reminder. We will not forget but will move on. Virginia Tech will be the constant, upstanding institution is has always been. The students, faculty, staff, and alumni will forge on with the grace and respect it has always had throughout this state and country. And I can say with confidence that when Tech is ready, the University of Virginia will be there to face them in the field, on the track, and in the arenas of sport with the respect and sportsmanship we have always had toward them.
Now I hope that I may return to my regularly schedule blogging of humor (or not so humorous), commentary and social observations that you have come to know.